First Sergeant Michael Jordan Knox enlisted into the United States Marine Corps in Oct 1981 as a Bandsman. In 1986 he changed his MOS to the infantry. After spending 13.5 years in the USMC, he got out Feb 1996 and started a fitness business specializing in yoga, aerobics, and boot camp style fitness. In 2000-2004 he worked for World Gym and Gold’s Gym as a Certified Personal Trainer and manager. He enlisted into the Army National Guard Band in 1999 as a tuba/bass player. MILITARY AND CIVILIAN EDUCATION: He holds an Associates of Arts degree from ACC (2007) and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and History from The University of Texas (2015). CIVILIAN AFFILIATIONS: Phi Theta Kappa, Alpha Lambda Delta, Phi Eta Sigma. In the Marine Corps he attended the School of Music, NCO Academy, Drill Instructors School, Infantry Squad Leaders School, Infantry Platoon Sergeants School, and Staff NCO Academy. In the Army he attended the Maneuver-Senior Leaders Course, Drum Major Academy, Hazmat Certifier, and Anti-Terrorism Officer Course II. ASSIGNMENT HIGHLIGHTS: After boot camp his first assignment was as an USMC Musician 1982-86 (Parris Island, S.C. and Pearl Harbor, HI.), where he performed for foreign and military dignitaries to include president Reagan’s trip to China in 1984. He was then selected to serve as an USMC Drill Instructor 1986-88 (Parris Island, S.C.), where he trained over 5,000 entry level civilians. After D. I. duty he was transferred to Camp Lejeune, NC as an USMC Infantry Platoon Sergeant 1988-93(Camp Lejeune, NC). While at Camp Lejeune, he deployed to Europe for six months cross training with allied forces. He deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm where he engaged Iraqi forces in heavy combat. His unit earned distinction by capturing over 1,000 enemy soldiers the first day of battle. While deployed to Europe for a second time, he participated in “Operation Provide Promise” the rescuing of a downed USAF pilot and support of humanitarian air-drops over Bosnia in 1992. He was then chosen to serve as an N.R.O.T.C. Instructor 1993-95(Penn State University), where he had the top Officer Midshipmen finish number one and three at Quantico, VA during the summer OCS program. He was then transferred to Camp Pendleton to serve as an USMC Combat Training Instructor 1995-96(Camp Pendleton, CA), where he trained Marines in infantry tactics, weapons and strategies. He finished his USMC career in the Individual Ready Reserves 1996-99 (Austin, TX). He enlisted in the Army National Guard as a Musician/Drum Major 1999-present (Camp Mabry, TX), during such time he traveled to Bosnia in 2000 for two weeks where he performed for the troops in an USO tour. In 2004, he traveled to the Czech Republic where he performed in every town General Patton liberated during the 59th anniversary of WWII. In 2008 he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as a Platoon SGT/Convoy Commander 2008-2009 B 636 56th IBCT, (COB Adder, Iraq), where he escorted long convoys all over Baghdad and southern Iraq. He routinely encountered I.E.D.s and small weapons fire while escorting the convoys. He extended his tour with the Oregon National Guard as a Battle Sergeant 2/162 41st IBCT 2009-2010(COB Adder, Iraq). In 2010, he was again deployed to Iraq to serve as the 36th ID Safety NCOIC/Master Fitness Trainer 2010-2011(COB Basra, Iraq), where he developed safety/training measures for the division. Additionally, he volunteered his fitness expertise and designed fitness and nutritional programs for military and civilian personnel who requested it. In 2012, his final deployment was in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as Camp NCOIC and Operations/Force Protection NCOIC 2012-2013 (Bala Hissar, Afghanistan), where he trained the Afghan National Army (ANA) in tactics and weapons. During this tour he was involved in a search and rescue mission that cost the lives of 2 military personnel and 4 U.S. civilian contractors in a suicide bombing attack. He currently is the 36ID Band First Sergeant 2013-Present (Camp Mabry, TX). DEPLOYMENTS: While serving in the Marine Corps, he has twice deployed to Europe. Once to the Far East. And once in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm. While serving in the Army, he has served three tours in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. And one tour in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. AWARDS AND DECORATIONS: 1SG Knox’s military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Army Good Conduct Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserves Overseas Training Ribbon, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon, NATO Medal (Yugoslavia and ISAF), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Texas Outstanding Service Medal, Texas Medal of Merit, Texas Adjutant General’s Individual Award, Texas Federal Service Medal, Texas Combat Service Ribbon, Texas Faithful Service Medal, Texas Governor’s Unit Citation.// Combat Action Badge. First Sergeant Knox is currently the drum major and senior enlisted advisor of the 36th Infantry Division Band. After graduating from the University of Texas, he plans on pursuing graduate studies in military history with American Military University while teaching JROTC in Austin. He currently resides in Austin, Texas and is single with no children.